Help Out Friday Night

Food trucks band together to raise money for Bernie's Burger Bus shootingvictim's funeral expenses

Bernie's Burger Bus is organizing a food truck fundraiser on Friday to help thefamily of Daniel Pacheco.
Photo by Ruthie Johnson Miller
The backyard dog park at Boneyard Drinkery
Photo by Ruthie Johnson Miller

What are you doing Friday night? You have to eat, right? And maybe you want to get a few drinks as well? So why not do both and help a family that's suffered a tragedy.

Bernie's Burger Bus employee Daniel Pacheco died tragically in a shooting Sunday night. Bernie's owner/chef Justin Turner and other employees have understandably taken a few days off to grieve. But tonight Bernie's will be back to help raise money.

"Sunday night one of the Bernie's Burger Bus employees was shot and killed," Stacy Buckalew, who helps Bernie's schedule events, wrote in an e-mail. "He was only 19. I'm sure you can imagine the grief his family is facing right now. His family comes from meager means and they are having a very difficult time paying for all of the final expenses in addition to coping with the shock and loss of a loved one."

Turner previously told CultureMap that some other Bernie's employees were with Pacheco the night he was killed and talked of his own shock at receiving a 6 a.m. Monday morning phone call with the news of Pacheco's death. Houston's food truck community quickly started banding together in wake of the tragedy.

From 6-10 p.m. on Friday, food trucks Bernie's, Oh my! Pocket Pies, Phamily Bites and Frosted Betty will be at The Boneyard Drinkery, with all proceeds from sales to benefit the Pacheco family.

So whether you just stop by for a bite, stay for a few beers, or bring your dog to enjoy Boneyard's backyard dog run, it's a great way to help out while having a good time.

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two days of bbq

2 Michelin-rated barbecue joints holding can't-miss pop ups in Houston

Courtesy of KG BBQ

KG BBQ is bringing its Egyptian-influenced barbecue to Houston.

Two of the Texas barbecue joints to earn Bib Gourmand recognition in the Michelin Guide will be holding pop ups in Houston this week. One is visiting from Austin, while another is a Spring favorite with a one-day-only menu.

On Saturday, December 14, Austin’s celebrated KG BBQ will be serving at Axelrad in Midtown. Part of Texas Monthly’s 2023 list of the Top 25 New and Improved BBQ Joints in Texas, KG BBQ has earned wide acclaim for pitmaster Kareem El-Ghayesh’s Egyptian-influenced take on Texas barbecue.

The menu will include many of KG’s most popular dishes, including brisket rice bowls with smoked Mediterranean rice; smoked lamb chops; sumac-and-cinnamon-rubbed lamb shoulder, and sides such as pink buttermilk potato salad and Baladi salad.

Service begins at 10:30 am. Preorders are available online with a minimum order of $60.

In a statement, Axelrad co-owners Adam Brackman and Monte Large say that KG will make more visits to Houston in 2025. El-Ghayesh adds that he’s a fan of the Houston bar that’s known for its spacious backyard with hammocks, a stage, and a wide-ranging menu of beer and cocktails.

“Since the moment I stepped foot in Axelrad, I loved their culture, their vibrant colors and artistic flare, their attention to detail and hospitality and love for entertainment makes this place perfect for bringing back my nostalgic memories of hosting pop-ups like how I started in Austin,” he said. “I’m proud to bring what I have created to Houston. From how diverse the city is, its beautiful variety of ethnic foods, and large Egyptian community, it has so much to offer. We are excited to serve up some Egyptian BBQ to the Houston community through our pop ups over the next year at Axelrad.”

On Sunday, Spring’s Rosemeyer Bar-B-Q will trade its usual offerings for a special menu of dishes made with smoked whole hog. The menu will include whole hog plates, whole hog sandwiches, whole hog-and-parmesan polenta cakes, and whole hog served over cheese grits with a New Orleans-style barbecue sauce as well as sides and desserts. Service will run from 11 am until everything sells out, likely sometime between 2 and 3 pm.

“The whole menu is filled with specials and cool items we don’t do everyday at the stand,” co-owner Jordan Rosemeyer writes in an email. The motive, beyond exercising some creative muscles, is to raise money for Hogs for the Cause, an annual event that raises money for pediatric brain cancer research and the families who are fighting it.

Like KG, Rosemeyer is also a member of Texas Monthly’s 2023 new and improved list. Located at 2111 Riley Fuzzel Rd., the humble trailer has earned acclaim for its weekly specials, housemade ice cream, and well executed barbecue staples.

news-you-can-eat barbecue pop ups kg bbq rosemeyer bar-b-q